LOUGHBOROUGH University Student Rob Smith had a disappointing weekend at Rockingham in the Renault UK Clio Cup.

Following overnight rain, the track surface for qualifying on Saturday was too wet for slicks for a start.

Rob was again a contender for the top 10 but into the closing stages he slipped to 16th fastest overall when several competitors gambled on changing to dry-weather Dunlops.

The track was totally dry by the time round 13 took place and at the start the Goodride Performance Tyres, Grouptyre, BMTR and B.A Bush Tyres-backed racer made a smart getaway. Avoiding any contact at the notorious Deene Hairpin on the opening lap, Rob threaded his way through into the top 12 before climbing into 11th place on lap three.

Following a two-lap Safety Car period, racing resumed on the sixth tour and Rob remained on the cusp of the top 10. On lap nine, he was shuffled back to 12th position in the closely packed midfield and then became embroiled in a tight battle with Jordan Stilp.

On lap 12, the Total Control Racing driver was edged back to 13th place – 10th in the Graduate Cup class – but did try to get back ahead of Stilp before the finish. Sadly for Rob, a sufficient opportunity didn’t present itself but a post-race exclusion for Josh Wakefield elevated Rob into the top 12.

Beginning Sunday’s encounter from 15th on the grid, which became 14th position when Mike Bushell didn’t take the start, Rob made a great launch off the line and managed to get onto the all-important inside line for the first hairpin.

Moving into the battle for the top five, everything looked good for Rob but after being tagged twice through the turn he ended up with broken steering and had no option but to pull off the circuit at the very next corner.

“I made a good start, up the inside of everyone down by the apron going into the hairpin”, explained the second year Clio racer, “I was late on the brakes but then someone else braked even later, put me off the track and then I was hit on the front, then the back.

“After that it was game over for us, the steering arm and rear beam were done.”